Have you ever gone back and read a book that you really enjoyed many years ago? I did that recently with Christy by Catherine Marshall. I can't remember exactly how old I was the first time I read this book, probably in my mid teens. I remember it had a profound effect on me and probably cemented my desire to be a teacher. My copy is the one I had way back when, with worn cover and yellowed pages that are getting dry and almost brittle... Christy is the story of young Christy Huddleston who decides in 1912, at age nineteen, to volunteer to teach in a mission school in a very small mountain community in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. Christy was written in 1967 and although it's usually classified as fiction, Marshall based the story on her own mother's life. Christy Huddleston is an eager intelligent young woman who is ready to jump in with both feet, as they say, to her first teaching job. Coming from a "comfortable" city family, she is more than a little surprised at the conditions she finds in Cutter Gap - extreme poverty and very poor living conditions, ignorance of cleanliness and hygiene, superstitions and mistrust of any "outsider". She finds her faith challenged and often feels overwhelmed by her responsibilities, questioning her decision to come to Cutter Gap, but eventually comes to love the mountain people and win their trust. She faces death, typhoid fever and many other challenges as she lives and learns alongside her students and their families.
Marshall draws you in early in the book, and you find yourself wanting to read "just one more chapter". The characters are unique and well drawn, and her descriptions vivid. If you've never read this book, I highly recommend it.
I have finished the blue quilt and hope to get some decent photos tomorrow. Today was a rather nasty day weather-wise, with rain, freezing rain and then several inches of snow this morning... it did clear off later on, but everything was so wet I knew I wouldn't find a spot outside that would allow me to photograph the quilt. I'll see what I can arrange tomorrow.... So I am back to working on the little silk miniature, all that's left now are two corner units to finish, then I am ready to put it together. So far, so good. We'll see how the assembly goes....
Peace,
Linda
Ever feel like you spend too much time reading? No, me neither...
6 comments:
Wow Linda, that brings back memories....I read and enjoyed Christy as well when I was younger...just a "few" years ago!!
I might need to put it on my summer reading list for a re-read.
Things are looking up, here in the great white north...the snow mountains are down to snow hills now. Looking forward to seeing grass again!
I loved Christy too and have read it several times. Must find my copy and reread it again. Thanks for reminding me.
Like you Linda, I read Christy in my later teens. I thoroughly enjoyed it and reread it many years ago. Thanks for the lovely memory. Have you read Catherine Marshall's book Julie? It is based on Catherines life...another good read.
I often re-read books that I have enjoyed before. "Christy" is one which I loved & have read a couple of times. My old edition is downstairs in my bookcase, no doubt with yellowed pages too! Have you read the one she wrote about her husband "A Man Called Peter"? I didn't take to that nearly as much as to "Christy".
Loved Christy - my copy is old and yellowed, too. I cried through it - couldn't put it down at times - and marveled how the typhoid fever part of the story was at least 100 pages!! A great read - thanks for sharing!
Joy!
Kathy
Hi Linda, I live in East Tennessee and I remember back in the '80s or early '90s they tried to make a tv show out of Christy. It was filmed here and everyone was so excited about it. I had completely forgotten about that book so thank you for bringing it out again! I'll be reading it again!
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